Magnetic resonance imaging utilizes view angle tilting to correct for in-plane distortions with each RF excitation pulse being followed by a plurality of signal readouts to reduce image blurring. Each image readout is in the presence of a frequency select gradient (G.sub.x) and a slice select gradient (G.sub.z), and at least the slice select gradient is refocused after each readout of an image signal. Each readout can have a time duration of the main lobe of the RF excitation pulse or the readout can have a higher bandwidth with an increased number of readouts. The combining of multiple readouts diminishes slice profile modulation resulting from Fourier transform.